City of Rochester

News Release

(Friday, Dec. 14, 2012) – The City will commence its wildlife damage management program on Monday to disperse a winter roost of 20,000 to 30,000 crows. Wildlife biologists from the United States Department of Agriculture’s USDA) Wildlife Services program will move the roost with the use of pyrotechnics, spotlights, lasers and amplified electronic recordings of crow distress calls. These methods will not harm the birds.

Management efforts will begin at Downtown’s Washington Square Park on Monday, Dec. 17 around 5 p.m. and continue through the night. The initial phase will conclude on Wednesday, Dec., 19 at approximately 7:30 p.m.

The goal of this effort is to break up and disperse the large roost from the Downtown area, minimizing the damage associated with the high concentrations of crows. Once the methods are in progress, the crows will disperse into smaller groups that will spread out over a broader area, reducing the crows’ damage and mess. Once the initial effort is complete, bi-weekly follow-ups will be conducted to keep the birds from re-establishing a large roost in the city.

City and Wildlife Services representatives recognize the management project techniques may be disruptive and respectfully request public cooperation as crews work throughout the city. Residents are asked to assist the effort by calling 311 (428-5990 outside city limits) to report the locations of large groups of crows.

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News Media: Representatives from the USDA and the City will be available at Washington Square Park on Monday, Dec. 17 at approximately 4 p.m. to discuss the roost dispersal operation. For more information, contact USDA Wildlife Services at 315-267-2288 or 518-477-4837 between the hours 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.